POLICE have today named the man who died when a section of building collapsed on him in Bridlington as Robert Young. The 61-year-old, from Bridlington, was walking past Nobles Amusements in Cliff Street on Monday when he was struck by falling bricks and debris. It is believed Mr Young's family have now been informed of his death. A shocked taxi driver who was just a few feet away from Mr Young has described the moment the accident happened. Neil Dean was sitting in his taxi outside Nobles Amusements. His car was also hit by the falling bricks.
"I pulled up at the taxi rank in Cliff Street and was writing something down when all hell broke loose," said Mr Dean, 52.
"Part of the building collapsed, falling on the back end of the taxi and on the guy outside.
"A lot of rubble came down and the sound was like a kid throwing a snowball at a car, but 100 times worse than that.
"I got out of the car and there was a bloke beside the car about 2ft away who had dropped to the ground."
Cliff Street in Bridlington remained cordoned off yesterday as East Riding Council building control officers assessed the structure of the building.
Mr Dean, who visited the scene yesterday to collect some items from his taxi, said: "It is absolutely terrible what happened and terribly unfortunate.
"The car saved my life, without a shadow of a doubt. If I hadn't been writing something, I'd have been out of the car and would probably have also got hit and been killed.
"The rubble hit the boot and back of my car, so if I'd have been parked 2ft back it could have hit where I was sitting.
"I feel lucky to be alive, and terribly sorry for the family of the bloke who died. It is dreadful."
Mr Young was taken to hospital but later died from his injuries.
Mr Dean said: "The police, fire service and ambulance were extremely prompt and were there within five minutes.
"The whole community came together to help and a lot of people were ringing the emergency services, but there was nothing more anyone could do for the man."
Heavy rain and winds of about 25mph hit the seaside town on Monday, although what caused part of the building to collapse has not yet been established.
A Humberside Police spokesman said: "East Riding Council and specialist engineers have been at the scene where a 61-year-old Bridlington man died after a section of a building collapsed in Cliff Street, Bridlington.
"A full structural assessment of the building is being carried out and a police cordon will remain in place and the road closed until further notice to ensure public safety.
"The cordon and road closures are causing ongoing disruption in the area and police would like to thank the public for their patience and urge them to avoid the road and use diversions in place."
